[rage3324]

I am looking for a pair of high-end headphones to compliment my Grado RS1i and 325i. I am looking for something with a large soundstage, airy, not too laid back ( I like forward mids ), controlled and tight bass (I hate bloat), and smooth natural highs. I listen to a lot of rock, soft rock, accoustic, female vocals, and would like to get into jazz and classical. To give you a idea, I listen to everything from The Beatles to Elton John to Led Zepplin, to New Pornographers, to Pearl Jam, to Nine inch Nails. I love the grado sound signature, but I need something that is a bit more laid back with a larger soundstage that I can use for lengthy listening sessions. 
 
For reference, I had the AKG K7xx (massdrop) and disliked them a lot. The soundstage was unnatural (too left to right), the mid-bass was bloated and ate into the highs which just ruined it for me. I do love my AD700s and I am really looking for an upgrade of those. 
 
So, How do these headphones compare? Any other contenders I should consider? I plan on auditioning all of these on my own but I want to know what I am walking into first.
 
The amp for these would be Woo Audio WA7 and/or Dacmini CX (10 ohm version)

 

[CrocCap]

deleted

 

[scottiebabie]

Originally Posted by rage3324 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
For reference, I had the AKG K7xx (massdrop) and disliked them a lot. The soundstage was unnatural (too left to right), the mid-bass was bloated and ate into the highs which just ruined it for me.

 
havent heard the 7xx but i still have the 702. if the 7xx is anything similar, then its one of the hardest headphones to drive well. fwiw i dont find the 702 midbass bloated nor soundstage too unnaturally wide (maybe its cos im used to the hd800 soundstage or maybe any "soundstage" in reference to headphones is unnatural to begin). mids are much flatter as your grados so this isnt an "on stage" type of sound but more 10th row if anything.
 
what i do find lacking are bass quantity/quality, slight treble grain & an overall tonal leanness atleast compared to either the hd800/T1. on the good, its very detailed & it sounds good to me. ofcos its not a can for all genres & IMHO amplification + source is so ever important. 
 
then again, the same can be said for either HD800 & the T1. really IMO the easiest to drive headphones are the mid range hifiman orthos. they maybe your best bet 

 

[rage3324]

   
havent heard the 7xx but i still have the 702. if the 7xx is anything similar, then its one of the hardest headphones to drive well. fwiw i dont find the 702 midbass bloated nor soundstage too unnaturally wide (maybe its cos im used to the hd800 soundstage or maybe any "soundstage" in reference to headphones is unnatural to begin). mids are much flatter as your grados so this isnt an "on stage" type of sound but more 10th row if anything.
 
what i do find lacking are bass quantity/quality, slight treble grain & an overall tonal leanness atleast compared to either the hd800/T1. on the good, its very detailed & it sounds good to me. ofcos its not a can for all genres & IMHO amplification + source is so ever important. 
 
then again, the same can be said for either HD800 & the T1. really IMO the easiest to drive headphones are the mid range hifiman orthos. they maybe your best bet 

I am not concerned about driving the HD800 with the WA7 as they apparently are a great pairing. There is not a lot out there regarding the T1 and WA7 which makes me think twice about the T1 and consider the PS1000. If it is just between the PS1000 and HD800, then auditioning should be a lot easier since they are so different. 
 
I have not considered hifiman. I thought the soundstage is smaller on those?

 

[scottiebabie]

i havent heard WA7 so i cant comment much on it but i dont doubt its good. so if amplification's is not a factor, then its probable u just dont like the 7xx sound & there's nothing wrong with that (lots & lots here dont like it either).
 
IMO good headphones have a lot more in common than not so either a T1 or PS1k would be fine addition to your stable. do keep in mind that the better the transducer, then more it'll punish your ears if the source + amplification is not up to snuff. Cant comment on the PS1k (although i have a PS500 which sounds great just off a chiDAP) but i know i like & enjoy the T1 alot.
 
alternatively (& OT here i know ... mea culpa

) i know its not the fad here nowadays but honestly if u dont mind spending little money, a ubiquitious HD600 is a very good bet. it was a great headphone almost 20yrs ago & it still is awesome now. i picked up a 3mth old one for the 2nd time around (1st was well over 10yrs ago) which arrived just yesterday. here is the post of my impressions if u have a need to know.
 
goodluck